Up-to-the minute updates and insights from the Red Wings locker room at home and on the road. By Chuck Pleiness of The Macomb Daily.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Fil taking part in drills

UPDATE: Filppula said that he's not playing in Wednesday's game against Chicago, but is scheduled to return to the lineup Dec. 26, if he doesn't have any setbacks. Mattias Ritola hasn't played center since his days of youth hockey, so the line combinations for Wednesday are still up in the air.

"I've got one more day to figure that out," said coach Mike Babcock.

Also of note ... Jimmy Howard gets the start in net, Wednesday.

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At the Red Wings' practice and Valtteri Filppula is taking part in all drills, centering the fourth line. Mattias Ritola, who was just brought up from Grand Rapids, is working in on the fourth line with wingers Kirk Maltby and Brad May.